The show must keep rolling for the Cleveland Browns. The task this Sunday is the Detroit Lions. Here’s what the Lions have to offer.
Former number one pick, Matthew Stafford is the Lions’ field general. Stafford is getting close to becoming an elite quarterback, but is not there yet. In 2013, Stafford is one of five quarterbacks that averages over 300 yards passing per game. However though five games, Stafford has found the end zone only eight times through the air. He has led the Lions to a 3-2 record on the season.
The Lions can’t even be mentioned without talking about the receiver known throughout the football as “Megatron”. Calvin Johnson is one of the NFL‘s most dominant players period. Even when triple teamed, Johnson has the size and athletic ability to get the football. But, so far this season Johnson has not produced to his fullest capabilities. In four games played (inactive for week 5), Megatron has 21 receptions, 312 yards, and four touchdowns.
Stafford’s other weapons are versatile running back Reggie Bush, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, and receivers Nate Burleson (injured) and Ryan Broyles. As Johnson demands double teams, these guys reap the benefits, especially Pettigrew and Bush. The Detroit offensive line has given up just eight sacks too. However, if both Johnson and Burleson are out for Sunday, the Lions are very thin at wide receiver.
The Lions defense is a very good one. While they do give up 25 points and 393 yards per game, there are some studs in this “wide nine” defense. The very nasty Ndamukong Suh anchors the defensive line with third year lineman, Nick Fairley. High draft pick, Ezekiel Ansah has a lot of promise and already has 3.5 sacks on the season. Four year veteran and defensive end, Willie Young on the other side has four sacks in 2013.
At the linebacker position, DeAndre Levy and Stephen Tulloch are the guys to watch. Levy is a tackling machine and has 42 tackles on the year. Detroit has very athletic linebackers. Tulloch is a smart veteran linebacker.
In the secondary, the Lions have a reliable corner back in Chris Houston. With only one interception on the year, Houston is feisty and can break up passes with the best of them. Houston is on pace for roughly 20 pass deflections in 2013. Former second round pick and safety, Louis Delmas has yet to really pan out for the Lions. Although he’s a hard hitter, Delmas has only five career interceptions and has averaged less than 58 tackles in five seasons.
Long time veteran left footer, David Akers handles the kicking duties for the Lions. One of the most accurate active kickers in the game, Akers has already missed twice in 2013. His long is 53 yards a week ago vs. Green Bay. Rookie punter, Sam Martin is averaging 49.5 yards per punt. Out of 24 punts, Martin has dropped four inside of the twenty yard line. Pat Edwards and Michael Spurlock are below average returners on special teams.
Ryan Ruiz is the Cleveland Browns Beat Writer for The Inscriber: Digital Magazine. You can follow him on Facebook: Ryan (BrownsWriter) Ruiz and Twitter @ryanpruiz24. Ryan is also a Browns correspondent for The Sportsfix. Tune in every Friday at noon on www.thesportsfix.net.
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